Robbery Suspect Daniel Vail Shot, Killed By Two Officers In Mt. Airy

FREDERICK, Md. (WUSA) -- Two Frederick County Sheriff's Office deputies are on administrative leave after a home invasion robbery suspect is accused of pointing a gun at them and they fired their weapons.

The Frederick County Bureau of Investigation says its investigating the officer-involved shooting at an apartment in the 4800 block of Westwind Drive in Mt. Airy. Two county officers, Dfc. Charles Zang and Dfc. Kevin Riffle, were assisting Howard County officers with a search and seizure warrant was related to a home invasion robbery involving a shotgun and baseball bats. The home invasion happened in Howard County on January 8.

According to authorities, at approximately 1 a.m. January 10, officers entered the Mt. Airy apartment using a flash bang (diversionary device) and announcing their presence several times. The officers saw one bedroom on the left and another on the right.

Authorities say officers saw 19-year-old Daniel Vail in the bedroom on the left. He was one of the suspects in the home invasion robbery, and was pointing a shotgun toward them, say sheriff's office officials. Officers told Vail to put the gun down but he didn't, according to authorities, so Zang and Riffle fired their handguns at Vail. Vail fell to the ground and officers got the gun and attempted first aid. They also called for a paramedic on the scene. Vail was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is expected to be completed on Friday.

Vail's mother found in the other room and taken into custody for an interview. She was later released.

Investigators and technicians are trying to determine the number of shots that were fired by deputies.

Dfc. Charles Zang, a 15 year veteran of the office, and Dfc. Kevin Riffle, a 7 year veteran, are on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.